New International Survey Reveals Multiple Barriers to an Accurate and Timely Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and
Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced results from the International
Alzheimer's Disease Physician Survey of nearly 1,000 physicians
that assessed physician attitudes and beliefs on the barriers to a
formal Alzheimer's disease diagnosis. The survey, in recognition of
World Alzheimer's Day (September 21, 2012),1 was conducted by
Adelphi Research, on behalf of Lilly, in the United States (US),
United Kingdom (UK), France, Italy and Japan.2

Nearly half of all physicians surveyed (45 percent) 2 from the
five participating countries responded that Alzheimer's disease is
"often" misdiagnosed, with nearly half (48 percent) indicating the
diagnosis "always" or "often" occurs too late to intervene in a
meaningful way. 2 Lack of definitive tests, lack of communication
between patients and/or caregivers and physicians, and patient
denial, were cited as the most common barriers perceived by
physicians as impacting their ability to make a formal Alzheimer's
disease diagnosis, according to the survey results.2

Additionally, physicians surveyed agreed that there are several
advantages of an earlier diagnosis among Alzheimer's disease
patients, including initiating treatment as soon as possible in an
effort to slow progression of functional and cognitive impairment
before they worsened, and allowing more time for patients and
caregivers to adjust and prepare for the future. 2 The latter was
found to be most important to physicians who took part in the
survey in the US (85 percent) and UK (83 percent).2 Physicians
surveyed also acknowledged several disadvantages, including the
news of an incurable disease to patients and family and the
potential for isolation from other relatives and friends.2

Barriers to Formal Diagnosis

Lack of definitive tests

The majority of physicians indicated they were "moderately
satisfied" (57 percent) with tools available to make a formal
Alzheimer's disease diagnosis.2 A lack of definitive tests was
cited as the top barrier (65 percent) among physicians surveyed in
all countries.2

Lack of communication

Of the physicians surveyed, 75 percent reported that discussions
about Alzheimer's disease were initiated by patients and
caregivers.2 Further, 44 percent of physicians surveyed reported
that patients and/or caregivers initiated the discussion after they
suspected "Alzheimer's disease was present for a while."2
Additionally, 40 percent of respondents reported that patients and
caregivers did not provide enough information to help them make a
formal diagnosis.2 When asked what information would aid them in
making a more definitive diagnosis in the absence of clinical
evidence, physicians surveyed indicated that reports about the
types and durations of symptoms, how symptoms affect daily life,
rate of decline and family history would help.2

"The journey to receiving an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis can
be a complex process," said Eric Siemers, M.D., senior medical
director of Lilly's Alzheimer's disease team. "Given a wide variety
of emotions, it is often understandably difficult to communicate
important information to physicians. We hope this survey is helpful
to patients and caregivers as it highlights ways to partner more
closely with their physicians."

Denial and stigma

Physicians who took part in the survey also reported that
communicating an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis to patients can be
difficult due to patient denial (65 percent) and social stigma (59
percent).2 The majority of respondents (71 percent) agreed that
there was at least a moderate level of stigma associated with
Alzheimer's disease, with physicians who took part in the survey in
the UK and France reporting the most stigma (81 percent).2
Physicians surveyed also indicated that loss of personal freedom
(78 percent), shame (63 percent) and possible isolation (60
percent) are mentioned by patients and/or caregivers as common
stigmas.2

"Stigma remains a large area of concern for patients and their
loved ones facing an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, making
acceptance of this debilitating disease that much more difficult,"
said Marc Wortmann, executive director, Alzheimer's Disease
International. "We need to continue our efforts to educate the
public about this illness to better accept the people living with
Alzheimer's disease and other dementias."

To address these important needs, Lilly, Alzheimer's Disease
International (ADI) and other key stakeholders plan to work
together to develop educational resources to help aid in more
effective patient/caregiver and physician conversations. These
resources will focus on helping patients and caregivers better
identify key cognitive symptoms that could indicate a more serious
issue, as well as how best to communicate information and concerns
to their physicians.

About Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, causes
progressive decline in memory and other aspects of cognition.
Researchers do not know exactly what causes Alzheimer's disease and
there are currently no approved treatments shown to alter the
course of the underlying disease process, only treatment options
that reduce certain symptoms of the disease.3 As of 2010, ADI
estimated that there are currently 35.6 million people with
dementia worldwide, with 7.7 million new cases each year (which
implies one new case every four seconds).4 The number of people
affected is estimated to be over 115 million by 2050.4 Estimates
vary, but experts suggest that as many as 5.4 million Americans may
have Alzheimer's disease.3

About The International Alzheimer's Disease Physician Survey
2

The International Alzheimer's Disease Physician Survey was
conducted between July 11, 2012, and August 20, 2012, among
physicians in the US, UK, France, Italy and Japan. A total of 996
physicians, consisting of primary care physicians (PCP),
psychiatrists, neurologists, geriatricians and geriatric
psychiatrists (UK only), participated. In order to qualify for the
survey, physicians had to meet the following criteria: been in
practice between two and 30 years; for PCPs and neurologists,
greater than 70 percent of their time must have been in direct
patient care; for geriatricians, psychiatrists and geriatric
psychiatrists (UK), greater than 50 percent of their time must have
been in direct patient care; all physicians must have seen at least
10 patients over the last three months, 50 percent of which must
have been older than 19 years of age; all physicians had to
indicate that they manage Alzheimer's disease on a regular basis;
and all physicians must have agreed to Consent Agreement and
Adverse Event reporting standards.

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a
growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest
research from its own worldwide laboratories and from
collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered
in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers – through
medicines and information – for some of the world's most
urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is
available at www.lilly.com.